I will not join politics: Baba Ramdev

He is the promoter of brand yoga in the 21st century. He has packaged the ancient science in an attractive modern garb, and promoted it well by broadcasting it to millions. Yoga has become panacea, the magic pill and solution to all diseases of modern life style. And the credit is all Baba Ramdev’s. The saffron Dhoti clad, bearded lean Sanyansi is a household name today, his antics being followed religiously throughout the human spectrum within the country and abroad.In an exclusive interview with Zee News’ Swati Chaturvedi in `Kahiye Janaab` the famous Baba Ramdev reveals the hidden aspects of his personality and much more…

Swati: Earlier you were teaching Yoga to politicians and now people say that you yourself are harbouring political ambitious. Is it true? Baba: Well I would say everybody should have some leadership qualities. There is nothing wrong in it. Swati: So do you intend to join politics? Baba: The future in politics is very uncertain. I’ve promised myself that I will never enter politics. However, I will continue to speak in the national interest so that our future generation will not face the same difficulties that we have encountered. Swati: What difficulties you have faced? Baba: Politics, corruption, exploitation and much more. It is hard to work here sincerely. But you have to go on… Swati: You are quite outspoken. Do you think it is affecting the constituencies and vote banks of some politicians? Baba: I don’t care. If I won’t speak against the ills, I would be committing crime against my own brethren. Before being a Sanyasi, I think I am an aware and responsible citizen of this country and hence I should not forget my duties. Swati: In which political party do you see a ray of hope for our country? Baba: I think today criminals have found their way into almost all political parties. So it is quite difficult to answer you question. And I do not find any difference between a criminal and a terrorist. A terrorist kills 50 people at a time while a criminal kills one by one. Swati: Are you accusing all politicians? Baba: No, I am saying there are certain individuals who are criminals. Swati: Who are they?Baba: I don’t want to cite any name. There are good politicians but there are so many traitors as well, so how can you say that our political parties are clean? Swati: Do you think we have the right kind of democracy? Also, while 132 countries have made voting compulsory we do not have any such provision. Baba: I think we have given excessive powers to politicians who are ruling us. I get ashamed when people abroad ask me why do we elect corrupt politicians. However, the day we will make voting mandatory, our country will be in safe hands. Swati: Since you have large followers, why don’t you start a movement regarding this? Baba: We have already started a movement. We are in the process. The government will have to make voting compulsory or we will force them to make it compulsory. Swati: So you are threatening them? Baba: (Laughs...) I do not harbour any political ambitions. Swati: I am giving you two examples. One is Mamata Banerjee who derailed the industrialisation process in West Bengal and the other is terrorism. 1700 people lost their lives in terrorist attacks. What do you think is worst? Baba: People have already lost their confidence in democracy. It is a shame for our country that we live in fear. In my opinion, the solution of this is issuing National Identity Cards to each citizen. Everybody who lives in this country should have an identity card. There are crores of people who are living in our country illegally. However, the irony is that some of our politicians are favouring to provide identity to these persons. Swati: Would you name them? Baba: (Laughs) Everybody knows them. Its an irony that some of our politicians are terming “terrorists”, who are killed in police encounter, as patriots. I am ashamed and feel sorry for this. Some even go on to blame a whole community for terrorist attacks. Terror has no religion. Swati: Some politicians are saying that you are interfering in politics though you are a yoga guru… Baba: Does this country belong to them alone, isn’t it my country? I am born here, so I have some responsibilities towards this country. And I am a responsible citizen. Swati: What is the secret of your age? Baba: (Laughs..) Somethings should be kept as a secret. In fact, there are so many secrets that people do not know.I usually sleep on the floor. I take green vegetables and fruits twice a day and sleep for five hours a day. Its been ten years since I have not taken rice. Still I am healthy. Actually, people are not really aware about their loved personalities. They are more influenced by what meets their eyes. They should probe deeper. When I was a kid I used to think, despite the physical similarities, why great personalities achieved so many feats. Why can’t I achieve the same…etc I’ve studied in a village. I used to study with second hand books. Despite all difficulties I used to top my class. I’ve seen both the dark as well as the shining aspects of India. Swati: Do you remember the people you have lived with before you embraced Sanyas? Baba: I remember my village profoundly and that’s why I am working towards an aim. I’ve a target of three years by which time I want to provide at least one yoga teacher to about 6.5 lakh villages for the betterment of health of the ordinary citizens. Swati: Do you miss your mother? Baba: Yes, I love my mother. She sacrificed a lot for me. So how can I forget her. But there is no attachment as such. I am a sanyasi! Swati: You said you are not happy with the political establishment. So why don’t you launch a political party of your own? Baba: My aim is to create awareness in this country. People should be aware of the fact that today the only power they are left with is the right to vote. Today politicians have more money and muscular power. Hence, voting is the only power that is still with us. The day people’s power will get awakened, the political problems will be solved. Adaptation: Anil K Satpathy